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Overhaul process begins for Afghan Air Force helicopters

  • Published
  • By Mass Communications 3rd Class Petty Officer Jared E. Walker
  • 438th AEW PA
KABUL, Afghanistan --  On Dec. 26, two Afghan Air Force Mi-17s transport helicopters and one Mi-35 attack helicopter were loaded on an An-124 transport aircraft by contractors.

The contractor is shipping the aircraft to their maintenance facility where they will be completely overhauled. This will take four to six months to complete.

The contractors have been to Kabul to prepare the helicopters for transportation. The aircraft have not been flown in over 15 months and the Afghan Air Force does not have the capability yet to completely overhaul aircraft.

Lt. Col. Gamblin, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Aircraft Maintenance Advisor, explained, "These overhauls will return invaluable air assets to service for training the AAF, flying combat missions and supporting the ANA in providing for a more secure Afghanistan."